The History of Art Department held its inaugural History of Art Conference on 20th January. It was attended by approximately 100 people, including members of Guild, parents, and students. The event, which was organised by Dr Beard, was scheduled over two thought-provoking sessions.
Following an opening introduction from Dr Beard, the morning started with Elsa Ritchie (CLC 2020), who gave a fascinating glimpse into visual culture in Baghdad in the 13th century. This was followed by Bella Yeo’s (CLC 2021) engaging paper on the contrast between Francis Bacon’s Three Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion and Matthias Grünewald’s Isenheim Altarpiece. The final speaker of the first session was Jemima Allison (CLC 2022) who had spent a year in Argentina, working alongside the artist Catalina Swinburne in preparation for the latter’s exhibition of intricate woven artworks which seek to revalidate the place of women throughout history.
All papers were eye-opening and illustrated the vastness and diversity of art history, and the ability in higher education to focus on what interests you the most. Before the break, the three speakers were joined by Timi Shogbola (CLC 2019) to take part in a roundtable discussion focusing on their university experiences and how studying History of Art had shaped this and their wider outlook.
In the second session, we heard from three more speakers. Firstly, Jessica (SFC2) offered an illuminating interpretation of Japanese art and culture in her Articulation presentation on Kitagawa Utamaro’s, Takashima Ohisa Using Two Mirrors to Observe Her Coiffure (1795). This was followed by Jemima Terry (CLC 2017) considering the life and work of the photographer Francesca Woodman, with a particular focus on her use of paper. Finally, Timi Shogbola (CLC 2019) introduced her own art and discussed the intriguing journey that she had been on as a young artist, and some of the challenges that she had faced along the way. As I looked at all the works that the speakers talked about, they served to reinforce the visual analysis that I had learnt in my first term studying the History of Art A Level.
The final part of the morning was dedicated to a roundtable discussion focusing on careers in the arts with guest speakers Kate Gordon (co-founder of The Association of Women in the Arts and CEO/Founder of London Art Studies), Olivia Patterson (Senior Director, Lyndsey Ingram), and Dr Rebecca Daniels (Senior Researcher, Frances Bacon Estate). All offered fascinating advice and insights into working in the art world. I took much away, including the many commercial opportunities, as well as the benefits of specialising in a particular field. The discussion was also joined by Guild member Jemima Terry, now working in Christie’s ‘Modern and Contemporary’ Department, who highlighted the determination and resilience required to secure a job in this very competitive industry.
Finally, we learnt from Ms Jardine-Young’s summation about the extent of art galleries on our doorstep in Cheltenham. I left the conference with a much clearer understanding of the depth and range of disciplines within art history. I also took away a renewed enthusiasm for a career in the art world. I look forward to many more conferences, which I believe will inspire more people to consider studying the History of Art.
Daisy (SFC1)
